Detroit Lions third best team in NFC North, not a playoff team, three NFL.com writers say

The Detroit Lions will spend their season looking up at the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, according to three-fourths of the writers previewing the team for NFL.com.

Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Adam Schein and Steve Wyche all gave their Lions predictions Monday. None of them have Detroit winning 10 games, and only one has them returning to the playoffs.

Brooks (8-8, third in NFC North): "After making the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, the Lions must deal with pressure and expectations that come along with being a favorite. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are ready for the challenge, but a suspect secondary could keep the defense from rising to the occasion."

Jeremiah (9-7, tied for second): "Can they take that next step? The Lions broke through the playoff barrier last season but they were out-classed by the Saints once they got there. Their division is brutally tough, but I still like their chances to return to the postseason."

Schein (8-8, third): "I love the passing attack, but I am very concerned about the run game, the offensive line, and the back end of the defense."

Wyche (9-7, third): "Suspect running game and holes in the secondary will put a dent in the spectacular passing attack, featuring Matt Stafford and Megatron."

All four writers have the Packers winning the division, three of them at 12-4.

And only Jeremiah has the Bears winning fewer than 10 games, tying the Lions for second in the division at 9-7. Brooks even has Chicago at 11-5.

Detroit Lions third best team in NFC North, not a playoff team, three NFL.com writers say

The Detroit Lions will spend their season looking up at the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, according to three-fourths of the writers previewing the team for NFL.com.

Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Adam Schein and Steve Wyche all gave their Lions predictions Monday. None of them have Detroit winning 10 games, and only one has them returning to the playoffs.

Brooks (8-8, third in NFC North): "After making the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, the Lions must deal with pressure and expectations that come along with being a favorite. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are ready for the challenge, but a suspect secondary could keep the defense from rising to the occasion."

Jeremiah (9-7, tied for second): "Can they take that next step? The Lions broke through the playoff barrier last season but they were out-classed by the Saints once they got there. Their division is brutally tough, but I still like their chances to return to the postseason."

Schein (8-8, third): "I love the passing attack, but I am very concerned about the run game, the offensive line, and the back end of the defense."

Wyche (9-7, third): "Suspect running game and holes in the secondary will put a dent in the spectacular passing attack, featuring Matt Stafford and Megatron."

All four writers have the Packers winning the division, three of them at 12-4.

And only Jeremiah has the Bears winning fewer than 10 games, tying the Lions for second in the division at 9-7. Brooks even has Chicago at 11-5.

I agree with them completely, which is why I thought we needed to get two STARTERS out of our first and second round picks, rather than two DEPTH players. I'm pissed at our off-season. We could have had a solid team and made a real run. Bush, Porter and a good first round pick would have really solidified this team.

August 28th, 2012, 1:55 pm

thelomasbrowns

Rookie Player of the Year

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2431

Re: Lions Predictions

wjb21ndtown wrote:

I agree with them completely, which is why I thought we needed to get two STARTERS out of our first and second round picks, rather than two DEPTH players. I'm pissed at our off-season. We could have had a solid team and made a real run. Bush, Porter and a good first round pick would have really solidified this team.

Like DeCastro?

_________________"There were a couple times where I was just like, 'Is that legal?" Warford said. "Cause he was getting laid out. I was like, 'Someone might call the cops. This is not fair.'"

August 28th, 2012, 2:50 pm

wjb21ndtown

Re: Lions Predictions

thelomasbrowns wrote:

wjb21ndtown wrote:

I agree with them completely, which is why I thought we needed to get two STARTERS out of our first and second round picks, rather than two DEPTH players. I'm pissed at our off-season. We could have had a solid team and made a real run. Bush, Porter and a good first round pick would have really solidified this team.

Like DeCastro?

Absolutely... Be a Monday morning Qb if you think it's wise or fair, show me someone that was afraid of him for injury reason prior to the draft.

And, he struggled in Pitt against good competition on their OL and DL, and their 3-4 D confused him, but I think he would have out played Peterman from day 1.

_________________"There were a couple times where I was just like, 'Is that legal?" Warford said. "Cause he was getting laid out. I was like, 'Someone might call the cops. This is not fair.'"

August 28th, 2012, 11:20 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10019Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Predictions

wjb21ndtown wrote:

thelomasbrowns wrote:

wjb21ndtown wrote:

I agree with them completely, which is why I thought we needed to get two STARTERS out of our first and second round picks, rather than two DEPTH players. I'm pissed at our off-season. We could have had a solid team and made a real run. Bush, Porter and a good first round pick would have really solidified this team.

Like DeCastro?

Absolutely... Be a Monday morning Qb if you think it's wise or fair, show me someone that was afraid of him for injury reason prior to the draft.

And, he struggled in Pitt against good competition on their OL and DL, and their 3-4 D confused him, but I think he would have out played Peterman from day 1.

You have to ask yourself this question....would DeCastro have been an upgrade over Peterman? The answer is yes. I realize he got injured in PITTSBURGH, that doesn't mean he would have gotten injured here.

Also, he was scheduled to be the starter on the offensive line for the Steelers. Only the fourth rookie offensive lineman to be an opening day starter in the history of that storied franchise.

I'd say that's a pretty strong statement as to just how good he is.

I wanted the Lions to get an offensive tackle as well, because we all know that Backus needs to be replaced. But Backus isn't the weak link on that line this year. That goes to either Peterman or Raiola. Peterman wasn't impressive in pre-season games, at all. His pass blocking is inconsistent, and his run blocking is non-existant.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

August 29th, 2012, 8:46 am

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4026Location: WSU

Re: Lions Predictions

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

August 29th, 2012, 10:05 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10019Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Predictions

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

August 29th, 2012, 10:11 am

TheRealWags

Modmin Dude

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12278

Re: Lions Predictions

m2karateman wrote:

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

I have a feeling he'll be starting by the bye, then again it could just be indigestion...

_________________

Quote:

Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right....

August 29th, 2012, 10:21 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10019Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Predictions

TheRealWags wrote:

m2karateman wrote:

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

I have a feeling he'll be starting by the bye, then again it could just be indigestion...

That's week six. And starting where? RT or LT?

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

I agree that it's a little too early to say Reiff won't see the field this year. I wouldn't target the bye week as a specific target date but a lot can happen between now and January. And it's waaaaaay too early to talk about whether Reiff or DeCastro was the better pick. Let's have that talk in a few years.

_________________Proud member of the Contract Extension for Schwartz Fan Club.

August 29th, 2012, 10:49 am

TheRealWags

Modmin Dude

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12278

Re: Lions Predictions

m2karateman wrote:

TheRealWags wrote:

m2karateman wrote:

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

I have a feeling he'll be starting by the bye, then again it could just be indigestion...

That's week six. And starting where? RT or LT?

Why does it have to be tackle? He could possibly start at LG or RG as well

_________________

Quote:

Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right....

August 29th, 2012, 11:58 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10019Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Predictions

TheRealWags wrote:

m2karateman wrote:

TheRealWags wrote:

m2karateman wrote:

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

I have a feeling he'll be starting by the bye, then again it could just be indigestion...

That's week six. And starting where? RT or LT?

Why does it have to be tackle? He could possibly start at LG or RG as well

OK, where ever. Do you honestly think Reiff is going to replace someone? Or are you predicting an injury?

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

August 29th, 2012, 9:22 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4026Location: WSU

Re: Lions Predictions

m2karateman wrote:

The Legend wrote:

reiff>decastro, lions made the right pick at a position that would have otherwise been a big need soon

Guard and center aren't going to be big needs soon? DeCastro can play either.

The difference is, who would have started sooner. DeCastro would have won the job over Peterman, no doubt in my mind.

However, it's useless to argue about it at this point. Reiff likely won't see the field this season unless there's an injury, and DeCastro won't play because of his injury. It's a moot point.

the difference is that backus is older than peterman and its harder and generally much more expensive to find a left tackle than a guard or center.